The Bodleian Library in 1882-7. (Oxford.)—This is the report of
Bodley's Librarian, and is, we need hardly say, an interesting document. After a brief sketch of the past history of the Library, Mr. Nicholson goes on to speak of recent growth, &c. At the end of January, 1885, it contained 432,477 volumes, of which number 26,318 were manuscripts. But it is explained that a volume often means many different works bound in the same covers. Readers will often have had experience of this. Indeed, we have here an estimate that there must be as many as 1,250,000 title-pages. The present growth is nothing less than enormous. In the three years ending December, 1887, the additions were 141,310. Deduct 4,000 as having come in January, 1885, and add, say, 50,000 for 1888, and we get a probable total on December 31st, 1888, of 624,787. The total will probably be doubled by the end of the century. The prospect is appalling. It is satisfactory to learn that the re- lations between the Library and the publishers are most satis- factory. It is never necessary to bring an action at law. We see that University and Jesus Colleges have had the good sense to
place their manuscripts in the Bodleian. Some interesting details are given of expenditure and labour. The Library has not escaped
the effects of depression, All Souls' College being unable to con- tinue its contribution (it is gratifying to be told that an unnamed member of the College sent .9100). The total revenue for 1887 was less than 98,000. Is there another .98,000 that does so much ?
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